Bowriders and deck boats are both open runabouts for day trips, swimming and watersports. The difference is mostly at the front. A bowrider has a seating area in the bow, in front of the windshield, that narrows toward the point like a typical V-shaped hull. A deck boat carries its width farther forward, so the bow is wider and holds more seats. This guide compares them with the models in our data.
The short version
- Bowrider: the classic family runabout. A more pointed bow that slices through chop, and the widest choice of sizes in our data.
- Deck boat: more seating and floor space up front for the same length, with a hull that still runs like a runabout.
Choose a bowrider if
- You'll spend a lot of time running across open water, where a finer bow helps in chop.
- You want a bigger range of sizes, from small trailerable boats up to 42' 2" in our data.
- Watersports matter and you'd like more choice among builders. Our data has 125 bowrider models from 22 brands.
Choose a deck boat if
- Most trips are with a group, and seats and floor space up front matter more than ride in rough water.
- You boat mostly on lakes and protected water.
- You want a smaller, lighter runabout that still seats a crowd. Our data has 38 deck boat models from 9 brands.
What our data shows (checked 2026-11-05)
| Bowrider / runabout | Deck boat | |
|---|---|---|
| Models in our data | 125 | 38 |
| Brands | 22 | 9 |
| Length (LOA) | 13' 2" to 42' 2", median 26' 1" (n=94) | 16' 2" to 27' 2", median 20' 9" (n=31) |
| Beam | median 8' 6" (n=119) | median 8' 6" (n=37) |
| Draft | median 24 in (n=86) | median 12.5 in (n=23) |
| Dry weight | median 5,660 lb (n=65) | median 2,685 lb (n=25) |
| Fuel capacity | median 60 gal (n=111) | median 46 gal (n=36) |
| Max horsepower | median 300 hp (n=73) | median 200 hp (n=36) |
| Passengers | median 12 (n=44) | median 12 (n=29) |
| Published prices | $35,963 to $578,868, median $61,108 (n=21) | $27,024 to $98,932, median $56,066 (n=28) |
| Priced under $50,000 | 4 | 9 |
| Priced $50,000 to $99,999 | 12 | 19 |
| Priced $100,000 to $249,999 | 2 | 0 |
| Priced $250,000 and up | 3 | 0 |
Figures checked 2026-11-05, computed from the model pages on this site (each value links to the builder's own page there). "n" is how many models publish that figure. Prices are the builders' published base or starting prices, not dealer or out-the-door prices, and many builders don't publish one, so treat the price rows as a rough picture of what's listed, not market prices. Medians are the middle value, so half the models are above and half below.
In our data the bowrider list spans a much wider size range, up to 42' 2", so its median length (26' 1") and dry weight (5,660 lb) sit well above the deck boat medians (20' 9", 2,685 lb). For a fair comparison, look at models of the same length. Only 21 of the 125 bowriders have a published price, so the bowrider price row is thin.
Questions to ask before you buy
- How many people will usually be aboard, and where will they sit underway?
- How choppy does our water get? Can we sea trial on a windy day? See the Sea Trial Checklist.
- Do we want a head (toilet) or a cuddy space up front? Check which models offer one.
- What's the weight on the trailer, and can our vehicle tow it?
Next steps
- Compare models on the Bowrider / runabout hub and the Deck boat hub.
- See state-by-state ownership costs for typical bowrider and deck boat models in Cost to own a boat.
- Also considering a pontoon? Read Pontoon vs. Deck Boat.
- Put a real price into the True Cost tool to see loan payments, sales tax, registration and upkeep for your state.
- Start from a monthly budget with Shop by Payment, which lists models whose published price fits.
- See the wider picture in Choosing a Boat Type and The True Cost of Boat Ownership, Explained.